Before I Wake Read Online Free PDF Page A

mind.”
    He stood there for a long moment, staring at me as if waiting for me to speak.
    I turned my attention wholly to Sherry. Eventually I heard his footsteps receding down the corridor.
    The Church. That was the last thing I needed.
    â€œKaren?”
    I glanced up again, barely recognizing the woman who stood there.
    â€œJamie?”
    When she threw her arms around me and hugged me, I tried to remember how long it had been since I’d last seen her.
    â€œHow is she?” she whispered.
    â€œI don’t…The doctors don’t know. They say she could wake up at any time.”
    â€œOh, Karen.” She kept an arm around me as I turned back to the bed.
    We both looked down at Sherry as her chest rose and fell, rose and fell.
    â€œIt’s been a long time, Jamie,” I said.
    â€œCouple of years.”
    â€œI sort of dropped off the map.”
    â€œYou had a new baby. It was natural to want to stay at home.”
    â€œIs that really how long it’s been?”
    She nodded. “I think the last time we really spent any time was at the baby shower.”
    Jamie had been my closest friend at the paper, my only confidante. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œIt was as much my fault as anything,” she said, gently squeezing my shoulder. “Water under the bridge.”
    â€œHow did you hear about Sherry?”
    â€œSomeone at City picked up the 9-1-1 call on their scanner this morning. Did all the usual follow-up, and when it came back that Karen Barrett had been involved…Everybody’s hearts are with you, Kar.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œAre you okay?”
    My hand went to the bandage. “Bumps and bruises. Nothing that won’t heal.”
    â€œAnd Simon?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIs Simon around?”
    â€œOh, he’ll be back. He had to go in to the office, clear his calendar.”
    â€œHow’s he taking it?”
    â€œWell, you know Simon.”
    She didn’t. Not really.
    â€œCan I get you anything?”
    I tried to smile. “No, I’m okay. But thanks.”
    â€œNo big deal.”
    â€œNo, I mean, thanks for coming. You didn’t have to.”
    â€œAw, hon, I got here as soon as I could.”
    SIMON
    The cabbie took the corner sharply onto the Johnson Street Bridge, changing lanes and cutting off an Audi next to us.
    Mary had awakened me with a kiss to my temple. So beautiful, the sight of her face as I opened my eyes. I was naked under an old comforter that had probably been on her bed as a teenager, that had accompanied her to university, to law school and now into her apartment overlooking the Inner Harbour. Her apartment.
    I jerked up. “I have to…How long have I been asleep?”
    She glanced over at the clock on the VCR. “An hour or so.”
    â€œShit.” I dumped the comforter onto the floor as I stood. “Why did you—?”
    â€œI thought you could use the sleep,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
    I shook my head. “No, it’s my fault. I should have known better. I shouldn’t have—” The look on her face stopped me from finishing the sentence.
    The cabbie leaned on the horn, cursing under his breath at a cyclist who dared to ride in the same lane.
    â€œHey,” I said. “You want to ease off a bit, maybe get me to the hospital alive?”
    He responded with a grumble, turning up the radio.
    The taxi slammed to a stop at a light on lower Johnson Street, throwing me forward. Glancing up, I made eye contact with the cabbie in the rearview mirror.
    Mary had wanted to drive me to the hospital, but I had shaken my head.
    â€œYou’re right, that’d be stupid,” she said.
    â€œNo, it’s not that. I think I just need a little time to myself.”
    â€œOkay. Just call me when you can, all right?”
    I nodded. “Oh, and listen…”
    I guess she heard the work tone in my voice, because she interrupted me,